Belstone Bluebells
We were met at Belstone Green by the usual cold east wind. A short spell on the road to find the footpath past Old Rectory Farm out on to the Moor. A tantalising glimpse of bluebells as we passed. Through the fields then down, down to the bridge over the East Okement river, into the woods and there they were were, just out, that wonderful deep blue almost purple.Taking a left as the path to Okehampton divided and up, up. I love this wood in spring. I saw a Tree Ceeper on my last visit.
On to Lower Halstock. No fields of Miniature Ponies today, I wonder where they are?
Up the track and out on to the Moor again, the wind still strong and cold. We found a sheltered spot by the river for coffee. (Must remember to come in the summer for a dip)
Then over Cullevers Steps and on up to Winter Tor for a photo op.
The plan was to go back along the Tors but the wind was not pleasant so we followed the track to explore the ‘Bubbler’ - Some naughty people has removed one of the concrete ‘windows’ so we could see the strange wooden posts below. Built in the 1950’s in an effort to remove the excess radon in the water. Did it work I wonder??
I guess not, it was closed in 1990 and sold to a private buyer in 2021. Raz found the far door open so was able to explore, there was evidence of clearing up but no hint of what for.
We found a nice spot for lunch by the little water works house on the river Taw.
Sharp eyed Anne saw a Cuckoo in a bush on the opposite bank. A female I guess trying to lay her egg in a nearby nest as it was being mobbed by a very angry much smaller bird. It seemed to work as she moved off.
On down the river bank to find another interesting ‘thing’, a deep concrete pit for dipping sheep we thought
There’s always something new to discover.
Stella